Qatar GP circuit modifications earlier than busy F1 dash weekend: FIA

The occasions notes for the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix verify that there are a variety of modifications coming to the Losail Worldwide Circuit for this weekend’s Formulation 1.

Whereas the 5.4km, 16-corner monitor structure stays unchanged, the FIA and circuit operators have reworked numerous elements of the circuit with a deal with monitor limits, constructing on the modifications made final 12 months. In 2024, organisers added two-metre gravel strips behind the kerbs at a number of exits whereas decreasing kerb heights at a number of corners to restrict the abuse the vehicles would obtain.

For 2025, new gravel strips have been put in on the exit of Flip 6, on the skin of Flip 10, and on the exit of Flip 16, which spits vehicles out onto the principle straight. The gravel at Flip 14 has additionally been prolonged so it begins earlier within the nook.

The motivation for this lies in deterring drivers from abusing monitor limits with out counting on policing utilizing cameras. Losail’s lengthy, quick right-hander tempts drivers to run huge whereas carrying further pace, however this has traditionally resulted in a flurry of lap time deletions and penalties.

By making the aforementioned modifications, the circuit itself now enforces the principles. In any case, placing a tyre over the sting now carries a danger of dropping lap time.

These modifications are accompanied by a 25-lap tyre restrict, added after issues had been raised in regards to the quantity of damage discovered on used tyres from final 12 months’s race. This successfully forces a two-stop race this Sunday, with the damage additionally aided by the modifications to kerbs.

These modifications come on the finish of the season as McLaren’s Lando Norris fights to retain his place on the prime of the drivers’ standings after each papaya-coloured vehicles had been disqualified following the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing RB20

Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs

Is the Briton below menace from the reigning champion, and even his team-mate Oscar Piastri?

“No, each are the identical,” he stated. “I feel they’re each simply pretty much as good as each other. I do know what Max is able to and I feel Oscar is able to precisely the identical as what Max can do. So no, I feel the benefit… Each have execs and cons each him being in a special group and Oscar additionally being within the champions’ group so I feel each have execs and cons.

“However every driver needs to combat for their very own factor and show that they are the very best. So no, I feel they’re each aggressive, they’re each very robust, they’re each unimaginable drivers, and I am excited to present them a very good combat on monitor.”

Images from Qatar GP – Thursday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari